Page 53 of Be Your Anything
The whole table is oddly silent, and it takes me a second to realize nobody is saying anything or moving as they just stare at me.
“Lennon!”
Paige’s voice comes from behind me, so I spin around, a grin on my face.
Though it falls slightly when I see her fake smile, her widened eyes.
“Hey. Just forgot my bag.”
Paige’s hands come up to my shoulders, and she gives them a gentle squeeze.
“Keep it together, okay?” she whispers. “Everything is going to be fine.”
I laugh, my face scrunched in confusion.
“What are you talking about?”
But before I can even finish the question, I see someone approaching the table from behind Paige.
Lucas.
My face splits, my smile something I don’t feel capable of holding back, even though I know I shouldn’t allow myself to get this excited about seeing him, especially in public.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect if I’d planned it this way. Maybe we can leave together, after I talk to Ji-Eun. Head back to my place and dive into that older man thing I was day-dreaming about earlier.
I see Lucas’ eyes connect with mine, see how they widen, as if he’s surprised to see me. Which is weird, considering the fact that he’s here because I asked him to come here instead of going to…
And that’s when it happens.
In slow motion, a figure emerges from behind Lucas, from the blurry place that exists around him because when he’s there, he’s all I can see.
Our eyes find each other’s, and I know all the years of training myself not to show my emotions on my face are completely…
Useless.
One million percent useless.
Because I can’t help the fact that I feel like I’ve been bowled over, hit by a Mack truck, and leveled to the ground.
A smile crosses her face as she steps up next to the edge of our booth, a booth she sat at through most of high school.
Because why wouldn’t the prom queen sit at this table with her king?
“Lennon!” she says, her voice high-pitched and friendly. She looks happy to see me, happy to be here by Lucas’ side, holding his hand.
I grin back at her, though I’m sure whatever expression is crossing my face isn’t what I’m aiming for.
She steps over to me as I stay where I’m standing, unable to move for fear of falling over. Her arms wrap around my shoulders as she pulls me in for a hug.
Over her shoulder, my eyes connect with Lucas’ again, searching for an answer to what is happening.
But his face is carefully blank.
So I swallow and mentally try to shake the fog clear from my mind, allowing my arms to come up and wrap around her shoulders, returning the hug.
She is my friend, after all.
“Hi, Remmy.”
